Headliner packaging system with quick release mechanism

ABSTRACT

A headliner packaging system packages a headliner that has a surface and a width and includes one or more elongated clamps. Each elongated clamp releasably secures the headliner by applying clamping force to an area on the surface of the headliner. Each elongated clamp may have a quick release mechanism that is configured to have a release position that releases the elongated clamp to receive the headliner and a lock position that locks the headliner securely within the elongated clamp. The quick release mechanism may be configured to quickly move between the release and lock positions in response to a single, non-repetitious movement of the quick release mechanism. The carton may have a port in the walls that aligns with each release mechanism that is sized so as to permit a person to reach through the port and move each release mechanism between the release and lock positions. The packaging system may be configured to package an article other than a headliner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,271, entitled“Windshield Packaging System Using Synergistic Clamp Jaw Components,”issued Jun. 22, 2004, attorney docket number 064706-0019, U.S. Pat. No.6,789,674, entitled “Windshield Packaging System UsingPressure-Regulated Clamps,” issued Sep. 14, 2004, attorney docket number064706-0021, U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,692, entitled “Windshield PackagingSystem Using Corrugated Box with Horizontally-Running Flute,” issued May3, 2005, attorney docket number 064706-0020, U.S. Pat. No. 7,080,735,entitled “Windshield Packaging System Using Corrugated Box withHorizontally-Running Flute,” issued Jul. 25, 2006, attorney docketnumber 064706-0065, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/279,533 entitled“Windshield Packaging System using Corrugated Box withHorizontally-Running Flute,” filed Apr. 12, 2006, attorney docket number064706-0072, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 11/932,277 entitled“Packaging System Using Pressure-Regulated Clamps with Synergistic ClampJaw Components,” filed Oct. 31, 2007, attorney docket number064706-0079.

The entire content of each and every one of the applications and patentsidentified above is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This application relates to packaging systems, including packagingsystems for vehicle components, such as headliners.

2. Description of Related Art

The shipment of an article can result in damage to the article when theshipping container is impacted or otherwise jarred. Fragile articles maybe particularly prone to damage. Examples of such articles includecertain vehicle components, such as the headliners which are installedbelow a vehicle roof.

Packaging an article such as a headliner for shipment may be difficultand time consuming. This may be particularly true when the packaging hasseveral components.

It may also be difficult to manipulate large articles, such asheadliners, between the various positions that may be necessary topackage them within a multi-component shipping container.

There may also be other problems and concerns in connection with thepackaging and shipment of articles, such as headliners.

SUMMARY

A headliner packaging system may be configured to package a headlinerthat has a surface and a width. The headliner packaging system mayinclude one or more elongated clamps. Each elongated clamp may beconfigured to releasable secure the headliner by applying clamping forceto an area on the surface of the headliner. Each elongated clamp mayhave a quick release mechanism that is configured to have a releaseposition that releases the elongated clamp to receive the headliner anda lock position that locks the headliner securely within the elongatedclamp. The quick release mechanism may be configured to quickly movebetween the release and lock positions in response to a single,non-repetitious movement of the quick release mechanism. The headlinerpackaging system may include a carton that is configured to house theelongated clamps and the headliner while secured within the elongatedclamps. The carton may have walls. The elongated clamps may beconfigured to cause all portions of the headliner to be substantiallyspaced from the walls of the carton while the headliner is securedwithin the elongated clamps and the elongated clamps and the headlinerare both within the carton.

The quick release mechanism may include a hook. The hook may be an eyeof an open ended eyebolt.

The quick/release mechanism may include a second eyebolt.

The quick/release mechanism may include a link linking the open endedeyebolt to the second eyebolt. The link may be a carabiner.

Each elongated clamp may include two opposing jaws and at least onecushion positioned on each jaw to cushion contact between the jaw andthe surface of the headliner.

There may be at least two of the elongated clamps. The elongated clampsmay be attached to a common elongated clamp mount.

The headliner packaging system may include an elongated support braceattached to the elongated clamp mount that is configured to support aportion of the headliner, but not to clamp it.

Each elongated clamp may be configured to apply a substantially constantforce to the headliner when the headliner is secured within theelongated clamp, notwithstanding variation in the amount of bendingwhich the elongated clamp undergoes when swung into the closed positionto lock the headliner.

The carton may have a port in the walls that aligns with each releasemechanism that is sized so as to permit a person to reach through theport and move each release mechanism between the release and lockpositions.

The packaging system may be configured to package an article other thana headliner.

These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits,and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the followingdetailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanyingdrawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings disclose illustrative embodiments. They do not set forthall embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead.Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save spaceor for more effective illustration. Conversely, some embodiments may bepracticed without all of the details that are disclosed. When the samenumeral appears in different drawings, it is intended to refer to thesame or like components or steps.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a headliner packaging system.

FIG. 2 illustrate the portion of the headliner packaging systemillustrated in FIG. 1 inside of a portion of a carton and in an openposition for receiving a headliner.

FIG. 3 illustrates the headliner packaging system illustrated in FIG. 2after having received a headliner, while in the open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates the headliner packaging system illustrated in FIG. 3after having received the headliner and while in a closed position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a hinge that is part of the headlinerpackaging system illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a quick release mechanism that is part ofthe headliner packaging system illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of cushions that are part of the headlinerpackaging system illustrated in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments are now discussed. Other embodiments may beused in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessarymay be omitted to save space or for a more effective presentation.Conversely, some embodiments may be practiced without all of the detailsthat are disclosed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a headliner packaging system. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the headliner packaging system may include anelongated clamp 101 that may include a pair of opposing jaws 103 and105. The opposing jaw 103 may include cushions 104 and 107 and across-brace 109. Similarly, the opposing jaw 105 may include cushions111 and 113 and a cross-brace 115.

The elongated clamp 101 may include a hinge 117 attached at one end ofthe elongated clamp 101 and a quick release mechanism 119 attached tothe other end of the elongated clamp 101.

The packaging system may have one or more additional elongated clampswhich are completely the same as, or different in one or more ways from,the elongated clamp 101. An example is an elongated clamp 121.

The cross-braces which make up each elongated clamp, such as thecross-braces 109 and 115, may be of any shape and may be made ofmaterial. For example, they may elongated, may be substantiallyrectangular in cross-section, and may be made of wood or plastic. Thecross-braces may be relatively stiff, while still permitting some degreeof flexure without permanent deformation.

The cushions of each elongated clamp, such as the cushions 104, 107,111, and 113, may be made of any material, may have any volume, and mayhave any shape. Each of the cushions may or not be attached to itsrespective cross-brace. When attached, any method of attachment may beused, such as glue, staples, nails, screws, nuts and bolts, and/or anycombination of these.

Any number of cushions may be used in connection with each cross-brace,such as 0,1, 2, 3, or a continuous cushion across all or most of thelength of the cross-brace. Although the cushions are illustrated in FIG.1 as being on both cross-braces of each elongated clamp, the cushionsmay be on only one cross-brace. When multiple cushions are used on across-brace, the position of each cushion on the cross-brace may varyfrom what is illustrated.

Corresponding sets of opposing cushions may be the same or different insize, shape, and/or composition. For example, larger cushions may beused on the bottom cross-braces, while smaller ones may be used on thetop cross-braces, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

More details concerning the embodiment of the cushions which areillustrated in FIG. 1 are described below in connection with thediscussion of FIG. 7.

The hinge 117 may be configured to allow the elongated clamp 101 torotatably swing into an open position to receive a headliner and torotatably swing into a closed position to lock the headliner securelywithin the elongated clamp 101. The hinge 117 may be attached to each ofthe opposing jaws 103 and 105. The hinge 117 may be attached to theopposing jaws 103 and/or 105 by any means, such as by one or morescrews, nails, nuts and bolts, staples, glue, or any combination ofthese. More details concerning the embodiment of the hinge 117 which isillustrated in FIG. 1 are described below in connection with thediscussion of FIG. 5.

The quick release mechanism 119 may be configured to have a releaseposition that releases the elongated clamp 101 to receive a headlinerand a lock position that locks the headliner securely within theelongated clamp 101. The quick release mechanism 119 may be configuredto quickly move between the release and the lock positions in responseto a single, non-repetitious movement of the quick release mechanism.

The quick release mechanism may be attached to the other end of theopposing jaws 103 and 105. It may be attached by any means, such as byone or more screws, staples, nails, nuts and bolts, glue, or anycombination of these. More details concerning the embodiment of thequick release mechanism 119 which is illustrated in FIG. 1 are describedbelow in connection with the discussion of FIG. 6.

The elongated clamps may be attached to one or more common elongatedclamp mounts, such as elongated clamp mounts 123 and 125. The elongatedclamp mounts 123 and 125 may be of any size or shape and may be made ofany material. For example, they may have a rectangular cross-section andbe made of wood or plastic. The elongated clamps may be attached to theelongated clamp mounts by any means. For example, they may be attachedby one or more screws, nails, staples, nuts and bolts, glue, or by anycombination of these.

The headliner packaging system may instead not have any elongated clampmounts, in which case, each of the elongated clamps may be substantiallyunattached.

One or more elongated support braces, such as the elongated supportbrace 127, may be attached to the elongated clamp mounts, such as theelongated clamp mounts 123 and 125. The elongated support braces may beattached to the elongated clamp mounts by any means, such as by one ormore nails, screws, staples, nuts and bolts, glue, or any combination ofthese.

The elongated support braces may have any size or shape and may be madeof any material. For example, they may have a rectangular cross-sectionand be made of wood or plastic. Each of the elongated support braces maybe configured to support a portion of the headliner, but not to clamp toit.

Each elongated support brace may or may not be used in conjunction withone or more cushions, such as cushions 129 and 131. Cushions 129 and 131may be of any type or size. For example, they may be the same as ordifferent from the cushion 113 or 107. The cushions 129 and/or 131 mayor may not be attached to the elongated support brace 127. Whenattached, any means may be used, such as one or more nails, staples,nuts and bolts, screws, glue, or any combination of these.

Each elongated clamp in FIG. 1 is illustrated with an opposing jaw thatis unattached to any elongated clamp mount. In an alternate embodiment,each of these may be attached to one or more additional elongated clampmounts that may be of any size or shape or material, such as having arectangular cross section and being made of wood or plastic. Eachadditional elongated clamp mount may be parallel to one of the elongatedclamp mounts illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates the portion of the headliner packaging systemillustrated in FIG. 1 inside of a portion of a carton and in an openposition for receiving a headliner. As illustrated in FIG. 2, theelongated clamps 101 and 121 are in an open position, while each oftheir respective jaws are still hinged together at one end, such as bythe hinge 117 in connection with the elongated clamp 101. As alsoillustrated in FIG. 2, the elongated clamps 101 and 121 may be placedwhile in their open position on a bottom wall 203 of a portion of acarton 201. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the portion of the carton 201 mayhave a bottom wall 203 and four sidewalls 205, 207, 209, and 211. Thesidewalls 207 and 211 may have access holes 213 and 215, respectively,and the bottom wall may have access holes 221, 223, 225 and 227. Thesidewall 209 may or may not have open ports 217 and 219 which, whenpresent, may be sized and positioned so as to permit a person to reachthrough a port and move a quick release mechanism that is behind itbetween its release and lock positions. The ports 217 and 219 may have adifferent configuration, such as closed on top. More details concerningone such quick release mechanism are described below in connection withthe discussion of FIG. 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the portion of the carton 201 may have alength that is approximately equal to the length of the elongated clampmounts 123 and 125. It may have a width that is approximately equal tothe length of the elongated clamps, such as the length of the opposingjaw 103. It may have a height that is approximately equal to the heightof the elongated clamps when clamping a headliner, as illustrated inFIG. 3 and as discussed in more detail below.

The portion of the carton 201 may be made of any material. For example,it may be made of paper or plastic. The material may be corrugated. Theportion of the carton 201 may have flutes running in any direction. Forexample, the flutes on the bottom wall 203 may run parallel orperpendicular to the length of the elongated clamps. Similarly, theflutes on the sidewalls 205, 207, 209, and 211 may run parallel orperpendicular to the height of the portion of the carton 201.

FIG. 3 illustrates the headliner packaging system illustrated in FIG. 2after having received a headliner, while in the open position. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, a headliner 301 may be rested on top of thevarious cushions that are illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG.3, the headliner 301 may have a non-planar surface, meaning that it mayhave a surface that does not lie entirely within the same plane. In thiscase, the height of the various cushions may be such as to neverthelesssimultaneously abut the headliner 301 when it is rested upon them, asillustrated in FIG. 3, without any gap in between the top of any cushionand the headliner 301. In other words, the heights of the variouscushions may be customized to match the contour of the headliner 301 atthe areas of contact and thus may vary from one another.

Although illustrated as receiving a headliner, the headliner packagingsystem in FIG. 2 may instead be configured to receive a different typeof article, such a vehicle windshield. All of the discussions below maysimilarly be applicable to a headliner packaging system that isconfigured to receive an article other than a headliner.

FIG. 4 illustrates the headliner packaging system illustrated in FIG. 3after having received the headliner and while in a closed position. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the opposing jaws of each clamp, such as theopposing jaw 103, may be swung from their open position to their closedposition and pivot about their respected hinges, such as the hinge 117,in the process. The opposing jaws of each clamp may then be locked intotheir closed position by moving their respective quick releasemechanisms, such as the quick release mechanism 119, from their releaseto lock positions. While in this lock position, the headliner 301 may besecurely locked within the elongated jaws of each clamp with a degree offorce which does not damage the headliner 301 and will not damage itduring shipment.

While in the lock position, all portions of the headliner 301 may besubstantially spaced from the sidewalls 205, 207, 209, and 211 of theportion of the carton 201, as well as from the bottom wall 203 of theportion of the carton 201.

In order to move the quick release mechanisms from their releaseposition to their lock position, a person may reach through the portwhich is in front of the quick release mechanism with their fingers toeffectuate this change in state, such as in connection with the port 217and the quick release mechanism 11 9. In some embodiments, ports may notbe provided and the release mechanism may not have a quick release. Moredetails about this operation are described below in connection with thediscussion of FIG. 6.

Each elongated clamp may be configured to apply a substantially constantforce to the headliner 301 when the headliner 301 is locked within theelongated clamp, notwithstanding variation in the amount of bendingwhich the elongated clamp may undergo when swung from its open to itsclosed position and when its associated quick release mechanism is movedfrom its release to its lock position, thus locking the headliner withinthe elongated clamp 101. The composition and shape of the opposing jaws103 and 105 and their associated cushions may be selected to facilitatethis functionality, such as by selecting material which resilientlycompresses.

After the headliner 301 is securely locked within the elongated clamps,a top cover may be placed on top of the portion of the carton 201, thuscompleting the carton in which the headliner 301 is packaged. The topcover may have any shape, such as a shape that is complementary to thelower portion. The top cover may also have access holes and, if desired,access ports that are complementary to the ports 217 and 219. The topcover may be bound to the lower portion of the carton illustrated inFIG. 4. Any means may be used, such as tape, straps, glue, or anycombination of these.

After shipment or before, the top cover may be removed, the quickrelease mechanism may be moved from its lock to release position, theelongated clamps may be moved from their closed to their open position,and the headliner 301 may be removed.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a hinge that is part of the headlinerpackaging system illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 5, thehinge may include an eyebolt 501 attached to one of the opposing jaws,an eyebolt 503 attached to the other opposing jaw, and a carabiner 505or other type of link linking the eyebolt 501 to the eyebolt 503 throughtheir respective eyes 507 and 509. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the eyes507 and 509 may both be closed. Instead, one or more of them may beopen. In a still further embodiment, the eyes 507 and 509 may be linkeddirectly together, without an intervening link, such as the carabiner505.

The ends of the eyebolts 501 and 503 may be attached to their respectiveopposing jaw by any means. For example, these ends may be threaded andattached by a nut on the other side of the opposing jaw. The other sideof the opposing jaw may be countersunk so that the nut may be flush withthe outer surface of the other side of the opposing jaw, and the eyeboltmay have a length such that no portion of it protrudes beyond this outerside.

Any other type of hinge may be used in addition or instead.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a quick release mechanism that is part ofthe headliner packaging system illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the quick release mechanism 119 may include an eyebolt 601 thatis attached to the other end of the opposing jaw 103, another eyebolt603 that is attached to the other opposing jaw 105, and a carabiner 605or other type of link that links the eyes 607 and 609 of the eyebolts601 and 603, respectively, together.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the eye 609 of the eyebolt 603 may be an openeye, thus allowing the eye 609 to function as a hook which may be hookedto the carabiner 605. Hooking the open eye 609 to and from the carabiner605 may be accomplished by squeezing the opposing jaws 103 and 105together, thus causing them to move closer towards one another. Whileunder this pressure, the free end of the carabiner 605 may be movedunder the hook of the open eye 609. Thereafter, pressure on the opposingjaw 103 and 105 may be released, thus causing the quick releasemechanism to lock the elongated clamp in its closed position. Thisprocess may be repeated for the other clamps. This process may later berepeated to unlock the headliner from each clamp, except that the freeend of each carabiner may instead be moved away from the hook of itsassociated eyebolt.

As may now be apparent, the hooking and unhooking of each quick releasemechanism may be accomplished with a single, non-repetitious, arch-likemovement of one end of the carabiner, either to bring it under the hookof the eye of the eyebolt or to clear it from this hook. No repetitiverotation of a nut or bolt, for example, is required. After the opposingjaws of a clamp are squeezed together, a person may reach through theport that is in front of a carabiner with his fingers, such as the port219 in connection with the carabiner 605, and move the free end of thecarabiner to the needed position, either under the hook to lock theelongated clamp or away from the hook to release it. This may be easierthan trying to squeeze ones fingers between the end of the jaw of aclamp and the wall of the carton.

Other types of quick release mechanism may be used in addition orinstead.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of cushions that are part of the headlinerpackaging system illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 7, one ormore of these cushions, such as a cushion 701, may be configured toreleasably secure the headliner 301 by applying a force across a portionof a non-planar surface of the headliner 301. This application of forcemay be such that the force is substantially uniform throughout the areaof the non-planar surface that engages the cushion, but in a directionthat is not substantially perpendicular to the length of the elongatedclamp, such as the length of one of the cross-braces 703.

The direction of the length of the cross-brace 703 is illustrated inFIG. 7 by a vector 705; the perpendicular to this length is illustratedby a vector 707; and the direction of force which is applied by thecushion 701 to an area of the non-planar surface of the headliner isillustrated by a vector 709. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the direction ofthe force as illustrated by the vector 709 is not substantiallyperpendicular to the length of the elongated clamp as illustrated by thevector 705. For example, it may deviate from the perpendicular by atleast 5, 10, 20 or more degrees.

The size and composition of the cushions, such as the cushion 701, maybe selected to facilitate the application of this uniform forcethroughout an area of the non-planar surface of the headliner in adirection that is not substantially perpendicular to the length of thecross-brace 703. For example, each cushion may be made of a volume ofexpanded polypropylene 711 abutting a volume of polyurethane 713. Thepolyurethane 713 may be configured to directly contact the area of thenon-planar surface of the headliner 301, while the expandedpolypropylene 711 may be configured not to directly contact the area ofthe non-planar surface but, instead, to be sandwiched between thepolyurethane 713 and the cross-brace 703. The thickness of thepolyurethane 713 may be less than half of the thickness of the expandedpolypropylene 711, as also illustrated in FIG. 7.

The polyurethane 713 and the expanded polypropylene 711 may be of anydensity. For example, the polyurethane may be 1.6# polyurethane and theexpanded polypropylene may be 0.9# expanded polypropylene.

The cushion or cushions on the opposing jaw may be the same ordifferent. For example, they may be made of the same or different typesof multiple material with the same or different densities and the sameor different volumes. To compensate for the weight of the headliner 301,the height of the cushions beneath the headliner 301 may besubstantially greater than the height of the cushions on top of theheadliner.

The components, steps, features, objects, benefits and advantages thathave been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, nor thediscussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope ofprotection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated.These include embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or differentcomponents, steps, features, objects, benefits and advantages. Thesealso include embodiments in which the components and/or steps arearranged and/or ordered differently.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions,magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in thisspecification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, notexact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistentwith the functions to which they relate and with what is customary inthe art to which they pertain.

The phrase “means for” when used in a claim is intended to and should beinterpreted to embrace the corresponding structures and materials thathave been described and their equivalents. Similarly, the phrase “stepfor” when used in a claim embraces the corresponding acts that have beendescribed and their equivalents. The absence of these phrases means thatthe claim is not intended to and should not be interpreted to be limitedto any of the corresponding structures, materials, or acts or to theirequivalents.

Nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should beinterpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature,object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless ofwhether it is recited in the claims.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow.That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as isconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in theclaims when interpreted in light of this specification and theprosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural andfunctional equivalents.

1. A headliner packaging system for packaging a headliner that has asurface and a width, the headliner packaging system comprising: one ormore elongated clamps, each configured to releasable secure theheadliner by applying clamping force to an area on the surface of theheadliner; and having a quick release mechanism that is configured to:have a release position that releases the elongated clamp to receive theheadliner and a lock position that locks the headliner securely withinthe elongated clamp; and quickly move between the release and lockpositions in response to a single, non-repetitious movement of the quickrelease mechanism; and a carton that is configured to house theelongated clamps and the headliner while secured within the elongatedclamps, the carton having walls, the elongated clamps being configuredto cause all portions of the headliner to be substantially spaced fromthe walls of the carton while the headliner is secured within theelongated clamps and the elongated clamps and the headliner are bothwithin the carton.
 2. The headliner packaging system of claim 1 whereinthe quick release mechanism includes a hook.
 3. The headliner packagingsystem of claim 2 wherein the hook is an eye of an open ended eyebolt.4. The headliner packaging system of claim 3 wherein the quick/releasemechanism includes a second eyebolt.
 5. The headliner packaging systemof claim 4 wherein the quick/release mechanism includes a link linkingthe open ended eyebolt to the second eyebolt.
 6. The headliner packagingsystem of claim 5 wherein the link is a carabiner.
 7. The headlinerpackaging system of claim 1 wherein each elongated clamp includes twoopposing jaws and at least one cushion positioned on each jaw to cushioncontact between the jaw and the surface of the headliner.
 8. Theheadliner packaging system of claim 1 wherein there are at least two ofthe elongated clamps.
 9. The headliner packaging system of claim 8wherein the elongated clamps are attached to a common elongated clampmount.
 10. The headliner packaging system of claim 9 further comprisingan elongated support brace attached to the elongated clamp mount that isconfigured to support a portion of the headliner, but not to clamp it.11. The headliner packaging system of claim 1 wherein each elongatedclamp is configured to apply a substantially constant force to theheadliner when the headliner is secured within the elongated clamp,notwithstanding variation in the amount of bending which the elongatedclamp undergoes when swung into the closed position to lock theheadliner.
 12. An article packaging system for packaging an article thathas a surface and a width, the article packaging system comprising: oneor more elongated clamps, each configured to releasable secure thearticle by applying clamping force to an area on the surface of thearticle; and having a quick release mechanism that is configured to:have a release position that releases the elongated clamp to receive thearticle and a lock position that locks the article securely within theelongated clamp; and quickly move between the release and lock positionsin response to a single, non-repetitious movement of the quick releasemechanism; and a carton that is configured to house the elongated clampsand the article while secured within the elongated clamps, the cartonhaving walls, the elongated clamps being configured to cause allportions of the article to be substantially spaced from the walls of thecarton while the article is secured within the elongated clamps and theelongated clamps and the article are both within the carton.
 13. Aheadliner packaging system for packaging a headliner that has a surfaceand a width, the headliner packaging system comprising: one or moreelongated clamps, each configured to releasable secure the headliner byapplying clamping force to an area on the surface of the headliner; andhaving a release mechanism that is configured to have a release positionthat releases the elongated clamp to receive the headliner and a lockposition that locks the headliner securely within the elongated clamp;and a carton configured to house the headliner while clamped by theelongated clamps in the lock position, the carton having walls and aport in the walls that aligns with each release mechanism that is sizedso as to permit a person to reach through the port and move each releasemechanism between the release and lock positions.
 14. The headlinerpackaging system of claim 13 wherein the quick release mechanismincludes a hook.
 15. The headliner packaging system of claim 14 whereinthe hook is an open end of a first eyebolt.
 16. The headliner packagingsystem of claim 15 wherein the quick/release mechanism includes a secondeyebolt.
 17. The headliner packaging system of claim 16 wherein thequick/release mechanism includes a link linking the first eyebolt to thesecond eyebolt.
 18. The headliner packaging system of claim 17 whereinthe link is a carabiner.
 19. The headliner packaging system of claim 13wherein each elongated clamp includes two opposing jaws and at least onecushion positioned on each jaw to cushion the contact between the jawand the surface of the headliner.
 20. The headliner packaging system ofclaim 13 wherein there are at least two of the elongated clamps.
 21. Theheadliner packaging system of claim 20 wherein the elongated clamps areattached to a common elongated clamp mount.
 22. The headliner packagingsystem of claim 21 further comprising an elongated support braceattached to the elongated clamp mount that is configured to support aportion of the headliner, but not to clamp it.
 23. The headlinerpackaging system of claim 13 wherein each elongated clamp is configuredto apply a substantially constant force to the headliner when theheadliner is secured within the elongated clamp, notwithstandingvariation in the amount of bending which the elongated clamp undergoeswhen swung into the closed position to lock the headliner.
 24. Anarticle packaging system for packaging an article that has a surface anda width, the article packaging system comprising: one or more elongatedclamps, each configured to releasable secure the article by applyingclamping force to an area on the surface of the article; and having arelease mechanism that is configured to have a release position thatreleases the elongated clamp to receive the article and a lock positionthat locks the article securely within the elongated clamp; and a cartonconfigured to house the article while clamped by the elongated clamps inthe lock position, the carton having walls and a port in the walls thataligns with each release mechanism that is sized so as to permit aperson to reach through the port and move each release mechanism betweenthe release and lock positions.